God Ever-ruling and Over-ruling
This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning (Sennacherib) ... 'Because you have raged against me and your arrogance has come into my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.' (II Kings 19:21,28)
Read: II Kings 19; Deut. 4:39; I Chr. 29:10-13; Ps. 135:5-6; Dan 2:20-21; I Tim. 1:17
What Is God Saying?
Sennacherib was nearing the end of the line. Like most people blinded by hatred and revenge, he was unaware of the predicament to which his arrogant assault on Jerusalem had brought him. Hezekiah, fortified by prayer and the wise counsel of Isaiah, stood his ground. Against enormous odds, he held the city. He chose to believe the Word of the Lord through Isaiah, to wit, that in attacking the people of God, Sennacherib was signing his death warrant. Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah in which we find our key verse today. It is a dramatic scene. Hezekiah praying, Isaiah prophesying, Jerusalem inhabitants trapped, a defiant enemy waiting at the gate and, on Israel's side, not contained or restrained by any walls of any city, God over-ruling, God in control. ‘That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. (II Kings 19:35). Then, having limped back to Nineveh, Sennacherib, while worshiping his god, was murdered by his sons. God ever rules and God over rules.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Other enemies may be camping at the gates of our life, laying siege to the citadel of our hearts. They may cause us great alarm as at times we feel ourselves to be outnumbered and defenseless. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood (Sennacheribs seldom make it to today's scene) but we are standing up against all the flaming darts of the evil one. We come to prayer with the confidence that the same God who ‘put a hook in the nose and a bit in the mouth of Sennacherib’ is on our side today.
Pray With Me
Holy One of Israel, You are the ever-ruling and overruling God. When someone has been confined to a stuffy room, he welcomes the opportunity to fill his lungs with the limitless fresh air of the outdoors. With that same eagerness to be refreshed and satisfied, let my mind be filled with the knowledge and let my heart be filled with the trust that You are causing all things to work together for good. A beast is easily turned and tamely led by a hook in his nose. In the same way, You are able to subdue the pride of unbelief. You can lead into captivity all who would enslave Your people and cause them shame.
Help me to know that You do not only exercise this power over the enemies without but also over the enemies within. When pride inflates the ego with empty notions of self-importance, when hatred, anger, and envy force me to some irrati0nal act later regretted; when unbelief sits on my spirit like a cold god; come, Lord of hosts. Say that one word, shed that beam of light, take the reins of Your Hand, and peace will be restored. Too often I have let the beasts of passion put the hook in my nose and the bit in my mouth. By Your grace and under Your authority, I will control and not be controlled. I will turn and not be turned. I will rule and not be ruled.
I claim the victory in the name of Him who tamed raging seas and drove out demons. Let my heart be His throne. Let my hands be His tools. Let my feet move without fear or hesitation where He directs. Grant it, merciful and mighty God, for the glory of your Son for He is Your living answer to mankind's haunting fears and the unconquerable Master over all that opposes the will of God.
In His great and wonderful name. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Hezekiah prayed fervently. He also listened to the advice of Isaiah. He heard the Word of the Lord. He chose to believe it even in the face of overwhelming opposition. He came out on top. He listened to the Word and he prayed to the Lord. There is no better pattern for effective prayer. Listen-then Pray!
